Students Prepare for Technology Challenge

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​​​​​​​When it comes to finding new ways to communicate using technology a team from St Peter Claver College, Riverview, are up to the challenge.

Students Hayden Cause, Kalifa Hassan and Owen Bowman beat 15 other teams to develop a code using coloured light to communicate with each other at the annual USQ (University of Southern Queensland) Science and Engineering Challenge.

The trio of budding engineers made only four errors in their code in the two- hour duration allowed for the ‘confounding communications’ activity.

Held in Toowoomba, the Darling Downs Science and Engineering Challenge allowed students to engage in a set of fun and competitive activities involving principles of science, engineering and technology.

Each team of students was provided with a challenge and a selection of materials to complete the set task.

Students are immediately engaged in activities with a minimum of introduction or theory.

The challenge allowed students to explore scientific principles for themselves rather than be guided to a predetermined answer.

They had to think creatively and critically, collaborate, adapt and interact within a team in order to innovate and develop.

They were able to activate all these skills to create their code and win the challenge.

Year 9 student Kalifa Hassan, said for him the science and engineering challenge was a great learning curve.

“It helped me to understand possibilities and doors that can be opened to a fun and successful career in shaping the future of Australia,” he said.

Fellow Year 9 student Owen Bowman said being part of the Science and Engineering Challenge was a very enriching experience.

“Especially as we got to learn new things and try different challenges.

He said the day was great fun.

“To work and socialise with new people was really exciting,” he said.

“I learned that working well with new people is a great experience, and the work done on the day was challenging yet inspiring and exciting.”

St Peter Claver Head of Science Hayley Jessup said the college was one of eight schools to participate in the challenge.

“In a competition for Years 9 and 10 students we were the only Year 9 team in a sea of some very mature looking Year 10 teams,” Hayley said.

“Our students didn’t let this affect their efforts, trying their best at the eight activities,” she said.